Growing herbs in pots or containers:

How to grow herbs in pots of containers:
Herbs are some of the easiest container growers, provided they get enough water and sunlight.

Growing herbs in containers is not only aesthetically pleasing and decorative, but it allows you to easily move the plants and harvest the necessary plant parts.

Choosing in which containers to plant your herbs will be easy once you have established where you want to place them. Most herbs tolerate any container so the container choice should be based on the architecture surrounding the container. Regardless of whether your herbs will be grouped together or be planted individually into smaller containers.

Herbs love a well-drained fertile soil which holds moisture and nutrients well. Readymade herb potting mixes are available, but most herbs do well in a 50/50 mixture of normal potting soil and palm peat. A handful of bone meal and slow release fertilizer won't do any harm and  promotes a strong healthy plant.

Herbs generally like to be planted alone in individual containers. This not only allows them to be used decoratively indoors, but it produces a better plant which has no struggle for light, nutrients, air movement or root space. Although they don't like being grouped together as much, most herbs do tolerate being planted together so don't be put off by this fact.

Herbs are however relatively low maintenance and tough little plants, they easily tolerate being grown together still produce great results. When grouping herb plants together have a look at choosing plants for containers for some advice.

Refrain from grouping aggressive growers like Mint with other herbs as they tend to suppress and take over the entire container.  Larger more woody herbs like Rosemary, Lavender, lemon verbena bay leaf and lemongrass often also pose a problem in container groupings and generally prefer their own larger container.

Flowers are a great addition to any herb combination, not only do they add an attractive splash of colour to your containers, but many of them are edible or have herbal uses whilst others help control and repel pests. Nasturtiums, Violets, Marigolds, Calendulas, Scented geraniums, Rudbeckias and Carnations are to name but a few.
 

Healthy Living Herbs suggest
the following combinations of herbs in containers:
Italian cuisine collection:
Sweet basil, thyme, Italian parsley and golden creeping Oregano.
Tangy Thai: Chillies, Vietnamese Coriander, Lemon grass, and Garlic chives.
Spicy Mexican: Chillies Parsley, Coriander, Garlic chives and Oregano.

French Provencal: Sweet basil, summer savory, marjoram, sage, oregano.
Classic French: Bay leaf, tarragon, chives, thyme, chervil.
Salad mix:  Dill, sweet basil, rocket,and garlic chives.

Caring for and maintaining
your potted herbs.

Ensure you herbs get aminimum of 5 hours sunlight daily, the more light the better the flavour and health of the plant.

Water containerised herbs regularly.

Feed weekly with a diluted liquid fertilizer.

Regularly prune, pick and harvest your herbs even if you don’t use them, this stimulates new growth and promotes healthy plant.

Keep an eye out for pests and diseases

For more maintenance tips see Tips to maintaining containers or potted plants